> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Independent panel ‘disappointed’ councillors voted for pay rise
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/independent-panel-disappointed-councillors-opted-for-pay-rise/
- Published: 2015-05-15T19:35:42.000Z
- Updated: 2015-05-15T19:40:19.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:42, News

An independent panel has admitted it was “disappointed” after councillors rejected proposals to freeze pay last year.

[![Lichfield District Council's offices. Pic: Lichfield District Council](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lichfield_district_council_house.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2013/05/29/jobs-and-services-at-risk-as-lichfield-district-council-unveils-plan-to-save-1-7million/lichfield%5Fdistrict%5Fcouncil%5Fhouse/)

Lichfield District Council’s offices. Pic: Lichfield District Council

[A report to Lichfield District Council last year](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2014/05/06/report-urges-councillors-to-lead-by-example-and-reject-increase-in-allowances/) had urged members of the local authority to “lead by example” and forego any rise.

But councillors voted to introduce a 1% increase – worth around £30 per year for each member.

Now the independent remuneration panel has admitted it was surprised to learn its advice had been ignored.

A report to a meeting of the council next week said: “The panel was surprised and disappointed to learn members voted not to forego any increase in their basic allowance, but rather resolved to make an increase of 1%.”

Following the vote last May, the opposition group [said representatives did not vote for the rise](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2014/05/13/we-voted-against-rise-in-allowances-say-labour-councillors/).

But the new report has revealed that no councillors rejected the rise.

The report explained: “The panel is obliged to recognise the council’s decision, although it should be noted not all members were in favour.

“However, the panel is advised no member formally elected not to be paid the agreed increase.”

Despite the previous surprise, the panel has proposed a rise of £67 per year for all members for the 2015/16 period.

But questions have been raised over the way a £430 per year IT allowance for councillors is distributed – leading the panel to refuse to make recommendations this time around.

The report said that it encouraged efforts to get councillors using digital technology but said more accountability was needed.

“The panel’s previous report presented to the council in May 2014 expressed a number of reservations regarding the policy, management and operation of the members’ IT fund.

“As a consequence of those reservations the panel has met with officers and the council’s external auditor in an effort to secure changes intended to improve governance of the scheme such that local council and business rate taxpayers might have more confidence in the overall management of payments.

“Regrettably, officers continue to regard the IT fund payments as an additional allowance for members rather than an expense-based scheme requiring monitoring consistent with the council’s own financial procedures.

“Until such time as the payments to members complies with the usual requirements for good financial practice and proper accountability of public expenditure, the panel is unable to make  
any recommendations regarding IT fund payments.”

*The report will be discussed at a meeting of the council on Tuesday.*